Clay-press.



Patented Nov. ll, l902.

W. D. FRERICHS.

C L A Y P R E S 8.

(Application filed May 27, 1901.)

2 Sheets Sheet 1,

-(m Model.)

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Wk 2313 5v? Site;

3 7/ limcoacg m. 713,562. Patented Nov. 1:, I902.

w. n. FREFHCHS.

CLAY PRESS.

Application filed May 27, 1901.)

(Nb Pflodel.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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u p011 she 2 0o with b of the mom 9 lungs vldod lifting also be pro prevent withdrawal of the plunger, 1 have provided means for holding it down, which are as fllows: Beneath the mold two lovers K are pivoted and are acted upon by a cam or eccentric m, to which an operating-lever BI is secured. To the outer ends ofthese levers and outside the ends of the mold are secured hooked links ii, the hooks of which are adapted to lit over the rods g, by which the mold is held together, or to any other suitable or convenient part of the mold. "Yhen the lever M is thrown upward into the position shown by full lines, the mold is securely held down upon the table of the press. I have also shown adjustable stops or plungers h, sliding in horizontal guides on the press-table and engaging plates H, which lie against the sides of the mold and hold it in position to properly receive the plunger in its descent.

The plungers h on one side of the press are shown acted upon by a cross-head J and screw-rod I to tightly clamp the mold. Setscrews 72 or other equivalent devices may be employed to hind the plunger-rods h.

The plunger, which is shown in detail in Fig. 5, has relief-passages E extending to the face of each one of the projecting sections 19,, and their ends are closed by valves, which will permit access of air to this face, but prevent entrance of clay within said passages. The valves as herein shown consist of small plates e, preferably of metal, which are sscured loosely to the plunger or are made of spring material, so that they drop down and permit inlet of air to the mold when the plunger is withdrawn, but will cover the opening to prevent; entrance of clay therein when the plunger-is pressed into the clay. Therneans shown as employed for securing these plates consists of a pin or nail, which passes through a hole in each plate and enters the body of the plunger. 'lhcsc'passa'ges preferably extend through the lower part or removable section P of the plunger andthen connect with the outer air by grooves, as E, formed in the top surface of said part P. I have also shown clay-escape openings 1*, Which connedt with the bottom parts of the spaces f between the projecting sections 1) of the mold, said open:

ings being designed for the escape of any surplus clay. These passages 1* may connect with horizontally-extending grooves similar to the grooves E, formed for the inlet of air, or extend through the head P.

By reason of the sticky adhesive character of the clay used for making these terracotta blocks it has heretofore been found impossiole to successfully mold them in a press, as when the plunger was withdrawn the bottom and partitions of the block were removed with the plunger. I have found the use of the valved air-relief passages largely prevents such action and enables the plunger to be withdrawn withoutdcstroying or injuring the molded-clay block.

The above or equivalent press is operated 'as follows to produce blocks for terra-cotta:

, caused to descend.

A suitable mold having been provided and secured in position and the corresponding plunger having been secured to the press an amount of clay sufficient to form the desired block is placed in the mold and the plunger projecting sections p, it will be noticed, are inclined, so as to act somewhat as a wedge to force the plastic clay against the sides of the mold and into the pattern which may be thereon. The clay is also forced upward into the spaces f between the sections p, thus forming the partitions. As soon as the plunger strikes the clay the plates 6 close the airinlet passages. If there is surplus clay,-it may escape through the openings F and prevent excessive strain. As soon as the plunger is raised the suction on the bottom of the plunger holds back the valves e and admits air beneaththe plunger, so that it may rise withontlifting the clay with it. The incline or draft given the sides of the plunger also assist in clearing it from the clay.

The number and location of the valved airpassages E and of the relief-passages 1? may be varied to any extent dictated by expediency or experience, and various other modifications and changes in the apparatus may be made without departingfrom the spirit of my invention and without exceeding the scope of the claimsconcluding this specification.

Having thus fully described my invention, 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters 1 Patent- 1. In a clay-press, the combination of a reoeptacle for containing the clay, and a plunger, said plunger being provided with a plu rality of projecting portions separated from each other, an air-passage leading to the face of each of said portions provided with a resilient flexible plate on itsface forming a valve permitting the entrance of air when the plunger is withdrawn, and openings communicating with the spaces between said projections for the discharge of surplus material.

2. In a clay-press, the combination of a receptacle for containing the clay, and a plunger, said plunger being provided with a plurality of projecting portions separated from each other, said projecting portions having inclined or wedge-shaped sides and openings communicating with the spaces between said projections for the discharge of surplus material.

3. In a clay-press the combination of a receptacle for containing the clay, and a plunger, said plunger being provided with a plurality of projecting portions separated from each other, and openings communicating with the spaces between said projections for the discharge of surplus material.

4. In a clay-press the combination of a re ceptacle for containing the clay, and a. plunger, said plunger being provided with a plurality 0t projecting portions separated from each other, an air-passage leading to the facet The side surfaces of the nag-see S of each of said portions provided with a valve permitting the entrance of air when the plunger is withdrawn, and openings communicat- I mg with the spaces between said pro ections for the discharge of surplus material.

5. In a clay-press the combination with a mold of levers pivoted beneath the mold, means for engaging one end of said levers to move them, and links connected with said levers and adapted to engage the mold to hold it dowr 6. A mold for clay-presses comprising plates having pattern-surfaces thereon, and a retaming-frame for said plates having backingpietes adapted t take h preading: strains.

WM. D, FRERICHS. \Vitnesses:

NORMAN GRANJ, E. D. WRIGHT. 

